The Coteau Street Bridge is headed for demolition in the coming years, but that didn’t stop Doug Reichel and other residents from attempting to convince city council to preserve the historic structure.
Reichel appeared before council on Sept. 27 and asked council to refurbish the century-old bridge so walkers, joggers and cyclists could continue using it to access Wakamow Valley. A small group of area residents sat in the gallery, while several emails supporting the bridge were included with the agenda package.
However, city council later voted 4-2 to deny Reichel’s request and receive and file his plea. This means the demolition will proceed for roughly $150,000, cost-shared with CN Railway.
Councillors Crystal Froese and Doug Blanc were opposed.
Minor maintenance to keep the bridge open until 2025 would cost $220,500, while major rehabilitation and complete replacement in 2035 would cost $1.56 million, a council report said.
Save the bridge
Reichel has lived on South Hill for 16 years and knows how important the bridge is to the hundreds of pedestrians, cyclists and runners who use it every month. That is why it was a shock for area residents and the nearby Church of God to learn about the bridge’s demolition.
It was also surprising that the last time city hall consulted with residents was in 2009, he continued. Residents urged the municipality then to block the bridge to vehicles and turn it into a pedestrian bridge. A 2009 report even suggested closing the bridge to traffic within two years and making it for people only.
Blocking access to the bridge to vehicles would have involved installing steel barriers for $20,000, with funding included in the 2010-14 budget.
“There would have been additional costs to demolish the bridge in approximately 40 years,” Reichel said. “Four-zero years. The City of Moose Jaw seems to have lost its sense of ownership on this one.”
Past reports
City hall failed to follow through on that 2009 report, while it later favoured a 2017 document that urged the city to demolish the bridge, he continued. Community consultations should have preceded this decision.
“Why was the bridge safe for 40 years to pedestrian traffic, but now it is not?” he wondered.
This situation is a good reason why Moose Jaw needs a ward system, where councillors are elected geographically and understand the issues in those areas, he added.
Reasons to save
Reichel then provided seven reasons why council should rethink the bridge’s future and turn it into a pedestrian-only footpath.
The first reason is the structure is historic and structurally sound, making it strong enough to accommodate people.
Secondly, hundreds of people access the bridge each month to reach the valley, such as students at Cornerstone Christian School, clients of Wakamow Detox Centre, area residents, and the Church of God. Even Reichel uses it to walk and run.
Thirdly, this bridge is about connection, not just from one side to the other, but also from the past to the present.
“In these logic-warping times, in these isolating times, in our history, Moose Javians need connection … ,” said Reichel. “We would like our community to enjoy easy access to the beautiful Wakamow Valley in the years to come.”
Fourth, there is value in having walking bridges for everyone in Moose Jaw, which is a community of bridges, he continued. There are already six pedestrian-only bridges in the valley, which is a place of peace, tranquillity and sanity.
Fifth, the bridge provides safe access for children and adults to cross into the valley. Otherwise, they would have to cross the tracks or be “funnelled onto the notoriously” bumpy Home Street near the Sportsman Centre, Reichel said. Or, people would have to walk down the steep First Avenue Northwest street to access the park.
Sixth, closing the bridge to vehicles would preserve the structure for many years of safe use, said Reichel. The 2009 report said it could last 40 years, while the 2017 document was based on ongoing vehicle use. Had city council acted earlier, further deterioration could have been prevented.
Lastly, the money spent demolishing the bridge would be better spent refurbishing the structure and connecting the community, Reichel added. He thought it was “a colossal waste of our hard-earned money in taxes” to tear down the bridge when Home Street needs attention.
The Moose Jaw Express will have a separate story with council’s discussion about the bridge.
The next regular council meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 12.
